INVERSION OF UTERUS 689 



to normal, when the sow should be given a small dose of a tonic 

 condition powder with the food every morning for several days 

 until she has fully regained strength. 



INVERSION OF UTERUS 



This is a complication or accident that may occur following 

 birth. The inversion proper consists in a telescoping of the 

 uterus through the external genital canal, and the organ becomes 

 turned inside out or inverted, hence the name "inversion of the 

 uterus." This is a much less common occurrence in the hog than in 

 the cow and mare, where inversion is rather frequent. In sows it is 

 only a part of the uterus which protrudes, as a rule, and it is ex- 

 ceedingly uncommon to have a complete inversion. 



Causes of inversion of the womb are usually a severe, pro- 

 longed, difficult birth, with powerful contractions, which continue 

 after the contents have been expelled. Severe injury or tearing 

 of the external genital canal may also predispose to the production 

 of an inversion. 



Symptoms. — The principal symptom, and the one on which 

 diagnosis is made, is the presence of a tumor-like mass protruding 

 from the vagina or, in complete cases, hanging down below the 

 vulva. As a result of the pressure from the mass in the vagina the 

 bladder is unable to empty itself and becomes distended with urine, 

 which adds to the discomfort of the animal, and the difficulty of 

 replacing the womb to its normal location when treatment is 

 attempted. The prolapsed womb becomes enormously congested 

 and swollen if the prolapse is allowed to remain untreated for any 

 length of time, and in neglected cases which go several days without 

 reUef the organ becomes infected, decomposed, and may even rot 

 off from gangrene. In these cases there is a horrible stink thrown 

 off by the decomposing tissues. 



General symptoms may be mild or severe. In some cases an 

 animal suffering from inversion of the uterus may eat well, move 

 about, and show but little discomfort. In other cases the sow will 

 have a high fever, be dull and stupid, lose all appetite, and may 

 even die from generalized infection and absorption of poisonous 

 materials. 



Treatment. — Preventive treatment consists in carefully watch- 



